Christmas Stocking Books and Authors - 8

So we come to the last of the books that have been donated to the Christmas Stocking Contest. This book is Lord Greville’s Captive by Nicola Cornick and it’s the only Historical Romance in the stocking.

But I’m thrilled to have this particular book in the stocking, and I was delighted when Nicola agreed to donate one of her titles to the contest. Unlike so many of the other books which are by new or newer authors, Nicola has been writing Historical for some years. Her first book was published in 1998 and she has been writing for HQN books and historical romance for Harlequin Mills & Boon ever since. Nicola’s books are always great reads and she has had books in the Finals of both the RITA and the RNA Romance Prize awards.

Nicola and I have known each other through the RNA for years, but as we are both so busy and we write for such different lines, we rarely get a chance to sit down and really talk. Most of our communication is through email and tends to be about the RNA’s New Writers’ Scheme, which Nicola has organised for the last few years, a task that she has now handed on to another RNA Officer.

And that’s a pity as we share a lot – in background and interests, we both has a fascination with Prince Rupert, nephew of Charles I, and his dog Boy, we both love the books of Mary Stewart and Georgette Heyer – and we both grew up very close to each other, but never knew it until romance writing meant that we met.

Nicola Cornick was born in Yorkshire, England, within a stone’s throw of the moors that had inspired the Bronte sisters to write Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights. One of her grandfathers was a poet. With such a background it was impossible for Nicola not to become a writer.

Nicola went to school in a former stately home. It was the sort of school that taught girls how to find a rich husband and how to get in and out of a Rolls-Royce gracefully. Unfortunately Nicola did not pay enough attention to the bit about the rich husband and has therefore never had the chance to practise the bit with the Rolls- Royce. She is extremely happy with the husband that she has got, however, and with her gorgeous cats and dogs! Nicola studied history at London University and has done a variety of jobs, from sticking price tags on shoes in a factory to serving refreshments on a steam railway. She lived for seven years in a cottage haunted by the ghost of a cavalier. It was here that she wrote her first historical romance for Harlequin Mills and Boon. Since then she has written 15 books and 2 novellas for Harlequin, and been nominated for a number of awards including the RNA Romance Prize, (for The Earl’s Prize) a RWA RITA (for The Wayward Widow) , and a Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice award.


Nicola’s book, Lord Greville’s Captive is a change from her Regency titles as it’s set in the time of the English Civil War. It was published in the UK in July this year and is out in America in Harlequin Historical this month. (but don’t worry – if you didn’t manage to get hold of a UK copy – you can pick up a USA one from Amazon!)

Let me tell you a bit more about this book:

A peaceful courtship
Years before, he had come to Grafton Manor to be betrothed to the innocent and beautiful Lady Anne – a promise that was broken with the onset of war. . .

A prisoner of war!
Now, Simon, Lord Greville, has returned as an enemy, beseigining the manor and holding its lady hostage. Simon’s devotion to his cause swayed by desire for Anne, he will not settle for the manor house alone. He will have the lady – and her heart – into the bargain.
Yet Anne has a secret that must be kept from him at all costs . . .

As I’d expect, Nicola is already getting some really great reviews for this book – how about these –


"(An) intense and sensual story of honor, trust, courage and love." Romantic Times Bookclub 4 star review.

"A darkly passionate, edgy tale, LORD GREVILLE’S CAPTIVE holds you hostage until the last page is turned." Romance Junkies 5 blue ribbon review.

LORD GEVILLE'S CAPTIVE is what historical romance should be and much more besides. CataRomance

And if that doesn’t tempt you to pick up this book – well, I promised to let you know what Nicola herself calls Lord Greville’s Captive - this is what she said when I asked her to join in the Christmas Stocking Contest

I'd love to participate in your Christmas Stocking contest. . . I'll send a couple of copies of my US December release, Lord Greville's Captive, or Cavalier in Bondage as it is affectionately known for the love scene!

How can any romance reader resist a book nicknamed ‘Cavalier in Bondage? I have this book on my own TBR pile and I've been managing to resist it - then Nicola sent me the lovely USA editions and I had to peek at the first few pages . . . BIG mistake . I had to force myself to put it down. That's another treat I've promised myself for when this Greek is out the door.

Nicola’s next book out in the UK is a book that has already been out in America where it was published in July this year. Deceived will be published as a Mills & Boon Historical in February 2007. Nicola has sent me a copy of the UK cover which I’ve posted here but I much prefer the USA cover – which you can see here - or in a larger version on Amazon.com.

If you want to know more about Nicola, visit her web site which has lots of fascinating detail about the books, extracts from them and Nicola’s notes about how she came to write them. You can also read about the research Nicola does before she writes a book, and details of some of the historical events that have formed the background to her stories.

And if you’d like to chat with her about her interest in history, with special reference to Christmas, she’s doing a Q&A on eHarlequin about Christmas customs throughout history next week, so you could join in that. I don’t have a link for the Q&A but as soon as I do, I’ll post it here so you can find it easily.

And that's it - I've now told you about all of the books that are included in the Christmas Stocking Stuffed With Book prize. I hope you'll agree that there is a wonderful assortment - with lots of great reading from every line and in every style. The contest is still open for about another 48 hours - it closes when December 10th is over in all time zones! - and after that I'll let Sid loose on the crunchies and see who he picks as the two winners of this bumper bundle of books.

If you haven't entered yet, make sure you get your entry in - details are on my Contest Page - and Good Luck

And a great big Thank you to all the wonderful authors who contributed books to the prize. You've helped to make it very special indeed. I just wish that I could win!